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"A combination of factors created a one-of-a-kind giving environment last year, and we’re thrilled that our efficient, tax-smart solution helped donors maximize the impact of their generosity"

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Schwab CharitableTM, one of the largest national providers of
donor-advised funds and other philanthropic services, facilitated more
than $1.6 billion in grants to 71,000 charities in 2017. Schwab
Charitable donors recommended approximately 368,000 grants, up 35% from
2016.

The new federal tax legislation and strong market performance helped
make 2017 a truly historic year for charitable giving. Over 70% of
contributions into Schwab Charitable accounts were highly appreciated,
non-cash assets such as publicly-traded securities, restricted stock and
real estate. By giving these assets to charity, donors were able to
maximize their charitable impact by avoiding capital gains tax, which
means potentially even more funds going to the causes they support.

Charitable giving peaked in the second half of the year as equity1
and real estate prices2 reached all-time highs, and the tax
bill moved through Congress to the President’s desk. From July through
December, the number of new accounts opened at Schwab Charitable jumped
91% compared to the same period in 2016. In the same timeframe, Schwab
Charitable donors recommended approximately 230,000 grants representing
over $900 million. There were over $20 million in grants for crisis
relief efforts in response to a record number of natural disasters,
including major hurricanes, earthquakes and the California wildfires3.

“A combination of factors created a one-of-a-kind giving environment
last year, and we’re thrilled that our efficient, tax-smart solution
helped donors maximize the impact of their generosity,” said Kim
Laughton, president of Schwab Charitable. “The changes to the tax code
this year have made it even more important for donors and their
financial advisors to plan giving over several years in order to fulfill
their personal philanthropic mission and make the most of tax deductions
at the same time.”

Schwab Charitable enables donors to increase their impact by enabling
them to group charitable deductions in higher income years and maintain
support for their favorite causes in years that may not be ideal for
itemizing a charitable deduction. Donors also invest assets in their
donor-advised fund account for tax-free growth ahead of future granting,
with the goal of increasing the amount available for grants to charity
over time. Schwab Charitable accounts offer 14
diversified investment pool options, and larger accounts may
recommend registered investment advisors to manage their portfolios4.
Since Schwab Charitable’s inception, investment growth has generated
over $2.9 billion in additional funds to support our clients’
philanthropy.

Schwab Charitable offers donors the flexibility to research and support
more than 1.5 million charities. In 2017 donors expanded their giving
priorities in response to the unprecedented natural disasters, as well
as a changing political environment, and the needs of America’s most
vulnerable citizens. Feeding America, the Red Cross, Planned Parenthood,
Salvation Army and Doctors Without Borders were among the most widely
supported charities in 2017. For more details on the generosity of our
donors in 2017, read our Annual
Giving Report.

By increasing the convenience and tax efficiency of charitable giving,
Schwab Charitable helps donors maximize the impact of their philanthropy
and potentially give even more to worthy causes that are most meaningful
to them. 67% of Schwab Charitable donors say they give more than they
otherwise would because they have a donor-advised fund account5,
and more than 90% of contributions into Schwab Charitable accounts are
fully distributed to charity within 10 years.

About Schwab Charitable

Schwab Charitable is a donor-advised fund established as a service for
individual investors to help increase their charitable giving. Since its
inception in 1999, Schwab Charitable has facilitated over $9 billion in
grants to approximately 123,000 charities on behalf of its donors.
Schwab Charitable serves a wide range of investors and has been a
pioneer in enabling registered investment advisors to manage the
investments of donor-advised fund accounts. Schwab Charitable also
offers a private foundation conversion service for private foundations
considering a donor-advised fund as a complementary or alternative
charitable vehicle. For more information, including a short video
describing the benefits of donor-advised funds, visit schwabcharitable.org.

A donor’s ability to claim itemized deductions is subject to a variety
of limitations depending on the donor’s specific tax situation. Consult
your tax advisor for more information.

Schwab Charitable is the name used for the combined programs and
services of Schwab Charitable Fund, an independent nonprofit
organization, which has entered into service agreements with certain
affiliates of The Charles Schwab Corporation.

Schwab Charitable Fund is recognized as a tax-exempt public charity as
described in Sections 501(c)(3), 509(a)(1), and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the
Internal Revenue Code. Contributions made to Schwab Charitable Fund are
considered an irrevocable gift and are not refundable. Please be aware
that Schwab Charitable has exclusive legal control over the assets you
have contributed. Although every effort has been made to ensure that the
information provided is correct, Schwab Charitable cannot guarantee its
accuracy. This information is not provided to the IRS.

(0118-8S5N)

1 Based on the closing price, adjusted for dividends and
splits, of the S&P 500® stock market index on December 18, 2017.

2 S&P Corelogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index
as of July 2017 and Green Street Advisors U.S. Commercial Property Price
Index as of August 2017.

3 The New York Times, These Billion-Dollar Natural Disasters
Set a U.S. Record in 2017, Jan. 8, 2018.

4 Professionally-managed accounts are available only through
independent investment advisors working with Schwab Advisor Services™, a
business segment of The Charles Schwab Corporation serving independent
investment advisors and including the custody, trading and support
services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Although donors may recommend an
advisor, Schwab Charitable must approve the recommendation. Advisors
must meet certain eligibility requirements and adhere to Schwab
Charitable fee and investment guidelines. You may request a copy of the
investment guidelines by calling (800) 746-6216.